Focus Point
As part of Out of Hours' continued commitment to educating UK companies about accessibility. We have organised a DDA Awareness DAY on the 13th June 2005 at the Novotel Hotel, 70 Broad Street, Birmingham.
The DDA Awareness Day is designed give you an understanding of the DDA. You will also come away from the day with a disability statement and a PEEPs policy for your organisation
A PEEPS policy is essential for all companies to have to comply with Health and Saftey as well as the DDA
A Disability statement is the best place to start your DDA compliance
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Here is a Little Quiz for You All
Since the Disability Discrimination Act came in to force on October 1st 2004 many organisations, both large and small have suddenly realised that failure to comply with this legislation could prove to be very costly. There are however still a number of companies taking the "It couldn't happen to me" and "There aren't enough inspectors to cover all premises" attitude. If you are one of these companies, think again!
Is your web site DDA compliant?
The DDA affects far more than physical access. For example, if you are offering a service through a website, supplying information, then at least eight million people, some 20% of the working age population, will have a disability that you may need to address.
Business Areas Impacted by the DDA
Many companies believe that the DDA is all about physical access, however this is only 20% of the story.
Our brief overview guides you through the remaining 80% of the Act.
Do I need a DDA Consultant?
For many companies, a well trained DDA Champion may well be sufficient. However, there are numerous companies who will require expert advice on certain areas of Compliance.
Find out if you are affected by the DDA
- Does the DDA Affect Me?
- We don't deal with Disabled People, so we do we have to do anything?
- What do I have to do to become DDA Compliant?
These Questions and more answered.
Five Simple Steps to DDA Compliancy
Many businesses think that becoming DDA compliant is a long and expensive process. For the vast majority of businesses, this is not the case. Follow the below steps and reduce the risk of compensation claims as well as opening up your business a largely untapped market.
The Danger of DDA Self Audit Packs
There are a number of products on the market that claim to make your company DDA compliant. We have reviewed a number of these and have found them at best to give the company a modicum of information and advice and at worst to be a flagrant waste of money.
Safety Watchdogs Set To Swoop
Health and Safety Watchdogs are set to swoop with random checks on businesses in the west Midlands. Officials from the Health and Safety Executive will start making unannounced inspections from the end of January and will be looking to see if key elements of the Disabled Discrimination Act are being complied with.
Easy Picking For Business Predators
A lack of knowledge and understanding about the DDA makes it very easy for companies to pay for products and services that are ineffective or incomplete but believe that they are protected against prosecution
Not all advice is good advice
It is not just business that are currently ignoring the new legislation that are under threat. Some companies that are being proactive in trying to achieve compliance are getting their fingers burned by other businesses.
Is your web site DDA compliant?
Surveys have shown that most businesses believe that the DDA only covers physical access issues. In fact, only 25% of the act concerns itself with physical access. It also covers service delivery, communication media (including the web), employment issues as well as the need to change basic business processes and procedures to ensure DDA compliance.
Partners
- Gallent 2000
- Nicolas Allen Partnership